A man takes bite off a chunk of pork fat during a traditional meat-eating competition held as part of Tuluni Festival celebration. (Morung File Photo)
Kohima/Dimapur, July 7 (MExN): Nagaland Governor, Prof Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today led others in extending Tuluni greetings to Sumi community as well as to the people of the State.
“Tuluni is celebrated to welcome the bountiful season of the year. It is a time to re-strengthen family and social bonds and to celebrate new relationships,” stated Prof Jagdish Mukhi, in his greetings.
The Governor of Assam and Nagaland further said that the festival “remind us of our ancestors who found strength in one another, in good and bad times” and expressed hope that Sumi youths will come together as a community and continue to unite and build the Nagas to overcome the challenges.
On this auspicious occasion, I wish you all good health, happiness and prosperity, he added.
Taking to Twitter, CM Rio also greeted the Sumi community on the occasion of Tuluni. “It is celebrated to welcome the arrival of new crop from the field. May our thanksgiving prayers to the Almighty for the abundant yield be accepted and the festivity strengthen bonds,” he added.
Y Patton: Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton also greeted the Sumi community on the occasion of their premier festival and said that the latter has a very vibrant culture when it comes to celebrating festivities and urged them to “carry on the spirit of brotherhood both within and outside.”
On behalf of the State BJP legislators, he also conveyed heartiest festive greetings and prayed that it is celebrated with grandeur, added a release issued by the Dy CMO Media Cell.
NSCN-K (Niki Group): The NSCN-K led by Niki Sumi also extended greetings to all the Sumis on the occasion of Tuluni and termed it is a “festival of great significance that is marked with merry-making for the community through dances, songs, food and thanks giving and blessings for a bountiful season.”
“As Tuluni symbolises solidarity, sharing and unity, the NSCN/GPRN hope that festival is celebrated in its true spirit and mark a new beginning,” stated a festival greetings issued by MIP, NSCN-K (Niki group)
“As one of the courageous people among the Nagas, may the Sumis as a community, continue to lead the Naga society at all fronts and promote peace and harmony among the Naga people,” it added.
NSCN (R): The NSCN (R) led by Akato Chophi also conveyed greetings to all on the occasion of 'Tuluni Festival' of the Sumi Nagas.
Tuluni is one of the main festivals of the Sumi tribe, which normally spans for three days and ends on July 8. It is also called “Anni” denoting the season of plentiful and is marked with feasts as the occasion occurs in the bountiful season of the year, stated a message from the MIP NSCN (R).
This midyear festival is a time of communal harmony and another feature of the festival is the exchange of gifts and hosting of meals between betrothed couples and their families, it said.
“The Sumis are known for their 'bravery and courage', yet simply 'Chivalrous' and respectful towards women folks and the NSCN is very much optimistic that the Sumi brothers and sisters will continue to shine in every spheres,” it added.
